Simone Biles continues Olympic prep by cruising to her 9th U.S. Championships title
FORT WORTH, Texas — Gymnastics superstar Simone Biles won her ninth U.S. championship on Sunday, leaving little doubt that at age 27 and more than a decade into her career in the sport, she is as good as ever.
Biles recorded a two-day all-around total of 119.750, almost six points ahead of runner-up Skye Blakely and leaves little doubt that she looks set to add a second all-around Olympic gold, in addition to the one she won in 2016. conquered.
In front of an audience that included her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, Biles put on a four-rotation clinic that had all the hallmarks of a typical Biles performance. There was breathtaking athleticism mixed with precision and more than a touch of swagger.
Biles finished with the highest two-day score on all four events – something she had done only once before at the national championships (2018) – to build enough momentum ahead of the Olympic Trials later this month in Minneapolis.
Her only misstep on Sunday was on vault. She came up short on her double Yurchenko pike — two backflips with her hands behind her knees — during the warm-up and overcompensated when it counted, generating so much force that she ended up on her back. She still received a sum of 15,000 for her effort, testament to a jump never completed by any other woman in the competition and only attempted by a select group of men.
Not that it bothered her. Biles collected herself, took a few deep breaths and then followed up with a Cheng jump that was rewarded with a 15.1 and put a ninth national title within reach, heady territory as no other gymnast in the history of the sport has competed in the USA more than seven.
While Biles remains above the fray as usual, there is plenty of competition for the other four spots in the five-woman US team who will head to Paris as heavy favorites to return to the top of the podium after losing three times in Tokyo finished second behind Russia. years ago.
Blakely, 19, put in another impressive performance and will head to Minneapolis with plenty of momentum. Three years after her attempt to make the 2020 Olympic team ended with an injuryBlakely peaks at the right time.
Suni Lee, the 2020 Olympic champion who has spent the past year battling kidney problems that have limited her training, shook off an early mistake on vault and put together elegant routines on uneven bars and balance beam that few in the world have — even Biles – can match.
Olympians Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey are in the mix, although both fell on beam Sunday. Third-place finisher Kayla DiCello slid off the uneven bars. Leanne Wong, who may have looked tired after a long season in Florida, also suffered some uncharacteristic errors.
Shilese Jones, considered the best all-around gymnast in the U.S. without the last name Biles, withdrew from the championships on Friday, citing a shoulder injury, although she said on Sunday she was feeling better and plans to be available for trials. That includes 18-year-old Kaliya Lincoln, who opted not to compete on Sunday after making some adjustments during Friday night’s opening session.
Both – if healthy – appear to be serious contenders to earn an invite to Paris (particularly Jones). If not, the door could be wide open for others and test the depth the senior elite program has been pushing for for years.
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Summer Olympics AP: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games